Mold - Not Hazardous!!

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Here is an interesting Mold article for your perusal!!



The New York Times

Panel Finds Mold in Buildings Is No Threat to Most People

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

stepping into an issue that has alarmed homeowners and led to hundreds of lawsuits and billions of dollars in insurance payments, a government panel of experts reported yesterday that toxic mold in homes did not appear to pose a serious health threat to most people?



Yesterday's findings drew criticism from homeowners who say they have experienced the phenomenon.



"I get calls from people every day saying they've had water problems, windows that leak, or water plumbing events behind the walls," said Janet Ahmad, president of Homeowners for Better Building in San Antonio, an advocacy group for people affected by mold. "Somebody in the house usually has nosebleeds. They go away for the weekend and the children stop coughing and having nosebleeds."



Janet Ahmad, President

HomeOwners for Better Building

San Antonio, Texas

http://www.hobb.org

210-402-6800



http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/26/national/26mold.html?ex=1400990400&en=54d83f555965ae8c&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

The New York Times

Panel Finds Mold in Buildings Is No Threat to Most People



By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

Published: May 26, 2004

stepping into an issue that has alarmed homeowners and led to hundreds of lawsuits and billions of dollars in insurance payments, a government panel of experts reported yesterday that toxic mold in homes did not appear to pose a serious health threat to most people.


Though the experts said mold and indoor dampness were associated with respiratory problems and symptoms of asthma in certain susceptible people, they found no evidence of a link between mold and conditions like brain or neurological damage, reproductive problems and cancer. They based their conclusions on a review of hundreds of scientific papers and reports but warned that the research was limited and that more studies were needed.

The panel, which consisted of epidemiologists, toxicologists and pediatricians, was convened by the Institute of Medicine, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences that advises the federal government on health issues. Its findings come as public concern about mold-related health problems grows, stoked in part by lawsuits and accounts of people driven from their homes and schools by mold. In 2002, insurers in the United States paid out $2.5 billion in mold-related claims.

Yesterday's findings drew criticism from homeowners who say they have experienced the phenomenon.

"I get calls from people every day saying they've had water problems, windows that leak, or water plumbing events behind the walls," said Janet Ahmad, president of Homeowners for Better Building in San Antonio, an advocacy group for people affected by mold. "Somebody in the house usually has nosebleeds. They go away for the weekend and the children stop coughing and having nosebleeds."

But the government panel said even the link between mold and respiratory problems had yet to be demonstrated conclusively.

``We know that when people are in damp spaces they report more upper respiratory tract problems and asthma symptoms," said its chairwoman, Dr. Noreen Clark, dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. "But we don't know that mold is the cause, because dampness is associated with dust mites, bacteria, and can lead to chemical emissions from buildings and from furnishings."

Dr. Jordan N. Fink, an expert on allergy and immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee who was not a member of the panel, disagreed, saying there was strong evidence that dampness and mold cause allergic diseases.

"The allergy literature over the years demonstrates that molds can cause asthma and hay fever," said Dr. Fink, a professor of pediatrics and medicine.

Dr. Fink did agree with the finding that there was no basis to claims that molds could produce nonallergic health problems. In the more than 70 years that scientists have studied molds, he said, "you would think that someone would have reported some evidence of that."

Melinda Ballard, a Texas homeowner who won a $32 million judgment against an insurer in a mold-related lawsuit several years ago (later reduced to $4 million), said her mold-infested home made her family violently ill in a matter of months. Her husband suffered memory loss, had trouble breathing and started coughing up blood. He had brain seizures that were evident in brain scans. Their son developed stomach problems and diarrhea.

A mold expert found that they were breathing in mycotoxins, a mold often caused by water damage, and persuaded them to leave, Ms. Ballard said. Some scientists say mycotoxins can cause brain and lung damage.

The Ballards lived in Austin, not far from a school where large amounts of stachybotrys, another mold linked to health problems, were found in 2000. Some teachers and students became sick as a result.

"When so many people have been exposed to similar varieties of mold and they're all reporting the same symptoms, the bottom line is: Are we all a bunch of pathological liars, or is there something to this?" said Ms. Ballard, who formed an organization called Policyholders of America.


--
The highest compliment my clients can give me, is the referral of their Friends, Family and Business Associates!

NorCal NACHI Chapter Founder and Chairman.

Originally Posted By: mcraig
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Once more you have found an interesting article. Ron I find myself thinking about mold issues all the time and how to handle them. I mention moisture when I see it but I don’t want to panic home buyers. In Arizona are climate at certain times of the year can be great for mold growth and I have lived in many homes over the years since I was a kid in homes that probably had mold with no ill affect? I have a hard time buying in to panicing home buyers over something that has always been with us. Here in Arizona it is like Termites you have them or you will have them. You tell people when you see there signs and advise them to get a good termite policy for any property and get the home treated every two years or so.


I have stayed out of all of this extera Inspections and recamend they seek specealist if they are concerned about these things (This keeps my liability down)


Originally Posted By: dfrend
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



I don’t test mold. But if seen I do report and recommend evaluation. Molds, even “toxic” mold, do not affect all people. Many of us did grow up with lots of mold, and developed a resistance to it. Kids now have medications that are overused and hurting their immune systems resistance level.


The symptoms, just as the article stated, are allergic symptoms. You, me and millions of others may not be allergic to the mold that is present. Is your client or their child?

Think legal for a minute. If you do not report the mold and recommend some sort of testing, and the clients kid ends up allergic and brain dead, who is getting the first lawsuit. You don't have to TEST the mold. But if you SEE obvious mold, should you not recommend further evaluation by a mold expert?


--
Daniel R Frend
www.nachifoundation.org
The Home Inspector Store
www.homeinspectorstore.com

Originally Posted By: Chris Butler
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



there is supposed to be a CDC report saying the same thing. If someone finds that article or report you are a better man than I. As I have looked for two weeks.


Originally Posted By: Mike Parks
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



ANAHAD O’CONNOR


How many times would you say that Anahad has had to repeat 'his' name?

Mike P.


Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Very good points from all!!


You people have to do what feels good for you. If it feels good, do it!! If not, then by all means don't.

I quite frankly do, for it certainly increases my overall income by about 40%. But you have to live with yourself!!

Great going Guys.

Ron.


--
The highest compliment my clients can give me, is the referral of their Friends, Family and Business Associates!

NorCal NACHI Chapter Founder and Chairman.

Originally Posted By: dplummer
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



I test for mold when the situation presents itself. If the client mentions in conversation that they and/or their children have allergies, asthma etc. I test. Found lots of hidden mold & saved my clients big $$$$$$ over the years. I know that it may not be for all HI’S & may lean towards IAQ, but it is worthwhile & profitable. Doug


Originally Posted By: mrichardson
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



The following quote is from congressional testimony given July 18, 2002 by Stephen C. Redd, M.D. Chief, Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


In a nut shell Dr. Redd was telling congress what the IOM report was going to say two years later. The IOM is now not reporting on new research, but on an analysis of the accumulated available research.

I think his statement supports the view that mold has a role in human disease, the role is not fully understood, but it is well worth attending to, even if it doesn't rot your brain, which it might (we just don't know yet.)

Thanks,
Mike Richardson

"We do know that people who are exposed to molds may experience a variety of illnesses. Fungi
account for 9% of nosocomial infections, that is, infections originating or taking place in a
hospital. Ingestion of foods contaminated with certain toxins produced by molds is associated
with development of human cancer. Many respiratory illnesses among workers may be attributed
to mold exposures. Uncommon illnesses that collectively can be called hypersensitivity
pneumonitis are caused by chronic exposures to high concentrations of mold and are almost
exclusively limited to certain agricultural workers in particularly moldy environments. Common
illnesses caused by molds include allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma.
Because molds can be harmful, CDC concurs with the general recommendations of agencies such
as EPA and FEMA, which offer information on preventing and cleaning up mold growth in
indoor environments. Linkages between indoor airborne exposures to molds and other health
effects, such as bleeding from the lung, or memory loss, have not yet been scientifically
substantiated. CDC and other organizations are taking steps to fill the gaps in our knowledge
about linkages between exposure to mold and human health."


Originally Posted By: thauswirth
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Here is an interesting link from the CDC site. It was just released a few days ago.


http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309091934?OpenDocument


Originally Posted By: mrichardson
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thomas,


Nice update to the present.

Thanks,
Mike


Originally Posted By: dplummer
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Thomas, thanks for the info. Doug


Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



This is great Guys;


Everyone chiming in with excellent additional information. That's what this BB should be all about.

Thanks Gentlemen!!

Ron.


--
The highest compliment my clients can give me, is the referral of their Friends, Family and Business Associates!

NorCal NACHI Chapter Founder and Chairman.

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



rbracklow wrote:
I quite frankly do, for it certainly increases my overall income by about 40%.


And THAT is a 'good' reason to do mold inspections?????

THAT seems to be the over-riding reason most HIs do mold inspections - Mo Money.


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Originally Posted By: rbracklow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Well Jerry that, and the fact that I feel we are helping the client. icon_cool.gif


You see, I do a number of well flow tests and bacteria test, since when you have a well, there usually is also a septic system, and here in California it is a mandatory requirement to perform a sewage bacteria analysis, of coliform and e-coli, and since we are already speaking to the client about a lab analysis, it is also easy to provide a fungi test!!

Mo money, and it makes everyone happy!

Have a great Memorial Day!!

Ron.


--
The highest compliment my clients can give me, is the referral of their Friends, Family and Business Associates!

NorCal NACHI Chapter Founder and Chairman.